NFU urges farmers to check their IT systems are up to date

13 November 2026

| 1 minute read

Hands typing on a keyboard

Photograph: Lawrence Looi/National Farmers' Union

The NFU is urging farmers to strengthen their cyber security by ensuring IT systems are up to date and seeking expert advice.

The NFU is urging members to check their IT systems are up to date and to seek digital security advice if needed after reports were heard at its Horticulture and Potatoes Board meeting of attempted ‘ransomware’ attacks on cold storage systems.

A ransomware attack is a type of cybercrime where malicious software (malware) locks a victim out of their device or encrypts their files, holding the data hostage until a payment is made.

We are also aware of scammers more generally using artificial intelligence to mimic voices and request money.

The focus on cyber security follows incidents in supermarkets across Europe where fridges and freezers were hit by a suspected cyber attack.

Read our cyber security advice for farmers at NFU launch Cyber Security Guide for farmers – NFUonline

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This page was first published on 13 November 2026.

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